Teflon "slider" sheets - even remotely worth the price?
 

I get neck & shoulder fatigue when I'm quilting, even with wearing grippy gloves, so I'm debating trying out one of those stick-on teflon slider sheets for my machine. But they're so darn expensive!!

Are they even remotely worth the price? Do they help that much? I swear it'd almost be cheaper just to get a massage after I'm done sewing for the night!

Anybody have any other tips or tricks that might help? I try to remember to relax and rotate my shoulders periodically but I tend to focus so much on what I'm sewing that I completely forget everything else. I even tried a timer but I just slap the off button and keep sewing, because it goes off at just the "wrong" time, every time! LOL

Here is one topic on this subject that might be helpful. I know there were others I have seen too...try searching for slider or teflon slider. http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...n-t146420.html

I bought one from Leah Day and I don't care for it. It slides, may work for small things but, I don't make small things.

Oh, thanks Treasureit! I don't know why I didn't think to search, of COURSE it's already been talked about on here - duh!

Lots of good ideas in that thread, I think I might try a couple of the free/cheap ideas people posted before I go spend an arm & a leg on the name brand solution. :)

I can't find mine right now. Quilting isn't any different from when I used to use it.
Don't bother.

Sounds like what I really need is robot arms and shoulders that never tire out! LOL (oh, if only!)

I
Ove it for free motion quilting. I bought a silicone baking sheet. Much less expensive.

I bought an oven liner mat at Wal-Mart for 5.00. Cut the hole for the needle , taped under the machine.

I went to JoAnns and bought a large piece (I think a yard-yard and half) of heavy vinyl. I have this spread out over the cabinet of my Singer 15-91 when I am quilting. I think it has really helped keep things moving along. And WAY cheaper than a super slider!

Yes they are worth the 20 dollars. makes life easy and you can use them over and over so I am not sure why people consider them expensive

I got rid of the neck and shoulder fatigue problem by quilting standing up. I place my machine on my cutting table. It is even better now that I have a styrofoam table surround for this setup -- creates a nice flat area. However, I still think the biggest help is standing up. My shoulders stay low and relaxed that way.

Here are links to the instructions for creating a styrofoam table surround:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14go...ure=plpp_video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAS25...ure=plpp_video

I just gave my sewing table a good coat of Min Wax, rub it on and buff off. I did this 3 times before I got the results I wanted, but it works great.

I have used one in the past and I guess it helped some but I finally had to resort to quilting my large quilts with QAYG methods. Too painful to push a big quilt. Not all quilts are suitable for QAYG but so many are.

A coat of car wax on metal or plastic housing machines works great. It will need to be done periodically. This also protects the metal housing !!

I agree. They're so worth it and I use mine all the time.

I just took a FMQ class this past weekend. The instructor allowed us to use her Sew Slip sheets. I did notice a difference when I used it, as opposed to not using one. JMHO

If you can afford it, then go for it, if you can't then try a less costly alternative, like heavy plastic or a silcone baking sheet.....it just really helps with the drag, and push and pull.......I also think a level surface really helps am going to be building up my quilt table with the same styro from Hone Depot that I used for my design wall.

Prism99 - thanks for those links! I have read about someone buying a blank door and cutting out the place for the machine but this is even better! I have a Juki with a little table that I think it would be easier to cut the Styrofoam to fit it rather than trying to get right next to the machine.

I tried one of those slider sheets at a class one time - did not care for it.

I find the supreme sliders too pricey for my blood. I use a non stick microwave oven liner. It is somewhat tacky and can be repositioned. It's only about $5 and is easy to cut. I just cut out the freearm area so I can get to my bobbin case. I tape down the edges.
I wouldn't quilt without some kind of slider. My shoulders and arthritic fingers would never forgive me.

I got a slider when I bought my Horizon. The first time I used it, it stretched out aroung the needle/ bobbin area and now nothing slides over it. Glad I didn't spend the $50 they said it costs! I'd save my money if I were you and try one of the cheaper options mentioned here, IMHO!

I have the Supreme Slider. In fact I have three of them. One was a gift, I won one on a blog give away and I just bought the new extra large size one. I notice a big difference in my hands, they feel more relaxed after quilting. If I don't use the slider my hands feel tired. I rinse it in water to remove lint and threads and it resticks like new. I don't see how a baking sheet would work the same. I have a teflon baking sheet and it is nothing like the Supreme Slider.

I bought a sheet of template to try as a slider. Haven't tried it yet, but I did experiment and it does slide, so maybe?

I also have the oven liner and punched the hole in it for the needle; I used double backed tape to secure rubber drawer liner over the entire bottom to keep the teflon liner from sliding. At the moment, of course, I can't think of the name of the rubber liner, but I use it to back many things to keep them from slipping and sliding.

Agree with Dolphyngyrl!

I have quilted for 20 years and have never heard of a slider sheet ! Does it sit on top to make fabric slide easier? I do use those rubber door stoppers (2) to place under in the back of the machine to tilt the machine forward. It really helps with the shoulder position when I am sewing. You can make the machine tilt as little or much as you like and they seem to stay in place pretty good.

I'm going to try the MinWax idea, thanks for sharing that.

Could you someone describe this oven liner that they purchased instead of the Supreme Slider. I have never seen or heard of such a thing. That does it look like & where besides WalMart can it be purchased. I live in Canada. Would appreciate any help that I can get.

You can also get the better shoulder ergonomics by getting a chair that lets you sit higher. I use an adjustable drafting chair ... one setting for regular piecing/sewing and a little higher when I am FMQ or SITD etc.

I use a silcone spray that makes the surface that I am working on very slick. It is not sticky and
I have not had any problems with whatever surface I spray it on. You don't have to wash it off, it
eventually goes away.

I'm quilting small quilt now and wondering about how it could be easier. Wow, was that an eye-opener. I'm off to find an oven liner. LOL.
Thanks

What about using freezer paper? I haven't tried it but it seems slick enough on the one side. Then cut the needle and / or bobbin hole. Just thinking.

I think that if my machine was in a built in desk my slider would work great, however not having a built in I find that my project gets stuck on the edge of the slider.
Prior to getting the slider I cut a hold in a piece of parchment (for the needle down) and wrapped it under the machine and taped it well so there were no edges (kind of like wrapping a gift around the entire base) This worked great but eventually got torn.

I read somewhere about using a plastic tablecloth. Has anyone tried this? I have been thinking about trying this.

I bought one for free motion quilting, but found my fabric always got stuck on the edge of my extension table. The last quilt I fmq'd I moved my machine and extension table to the dining room. I bought an inexpensive flannel backed vinyl tablecloth and cut a small hole in it for my needle. I then used three large black office clamps and pulled the table cloth taut on three edges of my dining table. My quilt slid easily and never got caught. I wish I had thought of this idea sooner!

I did buy the Sew Slip. Much like the Supreme Slider. I don't care for it because my quilt tended to pull the edge of the slider thingie up and so it caused more trouble than without it - My sewing machine bed is very slippery anyway and my acrylic extension table is flush with my sewing table except for about 1/4" so I have no trouble without a slider - the idea of using the silicon kitchen mat thing is genius! I just saw a very large roll of that at the Kitchen Outlet. On the other hand, lots of folks LOVE the Sliders. :) Good luck whatever you decide.

I have it and love it. I followed Leah Day's advice and taped it down and it's been a great help to me.

Try using a Silicone Spray. I spray my whole table, and it's nice and slippery. I spray my presser feet too. It won't hurt fabric, and is washable. It dries right away too. I use it in my kitchen on my counter tops too. It makes them shine. I get the "Misty Silicone Spray". you can get it at any fabric store. I ordered a whole case of it on line. I use it for everything. Try it and if it doesn't work, them try the silicone sheet.

Yes, I use mine all the time. If I forget I am reminded by the drag factor. It makes a big difference. I use it for full size quilts, small quilts.

Here is a picture; the Teflon coated oven liner is the steel grey thing. Since I have vinyl over all the pink styrofoam with which I've surrounded my machine, my oven liner would not stay put without the rubber shelf/drawer liner stuff taped to its bottom. The rubber shelf liner also adds weight, which I like, to the oven liner. I bought the oven liner at Bed, Bath, & Beyond, but don't know if they have stores in Canada.[ATTACH=CONFIG]358570[/ATTACH]

i got my telfon oven liner at Target in the baking area.....it was meant to be put on the bottom of the oven for spills from baking.....it is not the one that would go into a cookie sheet, that one (which I also have) is more rubbery and not near as slick....